Impact of metronidazole therapy on preterm birth in women with bacterial vaginosis flora (Gardnerella vaginalis): a randomised, placebo controlled trial.

Objective: To ascertain whether metronidazole treatment of women with a heavy growth of Gardnerella vaginalis during mid-pregnancy would reduce the risk of spontaneous preterm birth.

Design: A multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

Setting: Four metropolitan hospitals.

Investigation of methods to detect mechanically recovered meat in meat products - II: Gel electrophoresis.

This study investigated the use of sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) as a method for differentiating between mechanically recovered and hand deboned meat. Twenty-nine samples of mechanically recovered meat (MRM), including some heat treated samples, were obtained. The samples were derived from several animal species and processed using different machine types and a range of processing conditions.

Changes in vaginal flora during pregnancy and association with preterm birth.

A prospective study of the vaginal flora changes between midtrimester and labor was undertaken in 560 women; 337 had intact membranes and were in labor when swabs were taken. Of these, 45 delivered preterm. Gardnerella vaginalis, Ureaplasma urealyticum (both associated with preterm birth when present in midtrimester), and Mycoplasma hominis commonly persisted between midtrimester and labor, particularly in the preterm cohort (24 [65%] of 37 midtrimester isolates), and these organisms were seldom acquired late in pregnancy.

Bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy and efficacy of short-course oral metronidazole treatment: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To characterize the natural history of bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy and to assess the efficacy of short courses of oral metronidazole therapy for long-term suppression of bacterial vaginosis flora.

Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of two 2-day courses of metronidazole (400 mg twice daily) in pregnant women with bacterial vaginosis (by Gram stain) and/or heavy growth of Gardnerella vaginalis. The first course was given at 24 weeks' gestation and a second course at 29 weeks if the follow-up vaginal swab grew G vaginalis.

Prenatal microbiological risk factors associated with preterm birth.

Objective: To study the vaginal flora of pregnant women at 22-28 weeks gestation to determine whether the presence of specific micro-organisms is significantly associated with preterm birth and prelabour rupture of the membranes.

Design: A comprehensive descriptive prospective study of the vaginal micro-flora of women between 22-28 weeks gestation comparing those who gave birth preterm (less than 37 weeks) with those who gave birth at term. Microbiological assessment included cultures for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, yeasts, genital mycoplasmas and Trichomonas vaginalis.

Vaginal infection and preterm labour.

Objective: To study the vaginal flora of women in preterm labour (PTL) and determine whether the presence of specific vaginal microflora is significantly associated with onset of PTL.

Design: A comprehensive prospective study of the vaginal microflora of women in early labour comparing women in PTL with term controls. Microbiological assessment included cultures for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, yeasts, genital mycoplasmas and Trichomonas vaginalis.

The influence of varying degrees of adhesion as determined by mechanical tests on the sensory and consumer acceptance of a meat product.

The adhesion between meat pieces in meat products, varied by the addition of different concentrations of a crude myosin solution, was measured by a trained sensory panel and by two instrumental tests: tensile adhesive strength (TAS) and punch and die. A consumer trial was used to find which level of adhesion was preferred. Results from the sensory panel showed that the adhesion could be detected as highly significant (P < 0·001) differences in three tactile measurements and in the two eating qualities, ease of fragmentation and rubberines.

The amount and composition of the proteins in drip from stored pig meat.

In order to elucidate the mechanism of drip formation, measurements have been made of the amount of drip, and its protein concentration, from 80 pigs chilled conventionally. The correlation between amount of drip and protein concentration was poor but significant (r = -0·41, P < 0·001). The individual protein components of 20 drip samples were analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE).

Optimal duration of cefotaxime prophylaxis in abdominal and vaginal hysterectomy.

Previous studies have demonstrated that short course perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis reduces septic morbidity after hysterectomy from up to 40% down to 10 to 15%. The residual morbidity is predominantly urinary tract infection (UTI) occurring 2 to 3 days after cessation of antibiotic. We hypothesised that surgery impairs urinary drainage for 3 to 4 days postoperatively and that prolonged prophylaxis was required to prevent all postoperative sepsis.

Influence of temperature on the rate of post-mortem metabolism and water-holding capacity of bovine neck muscles.

Strips of forty bovine neck muscles were placed at temperatures in the range -1° to +30°C within 45 min of slaughter and stored for up to 24 h. Strips were taken at various times during storage and assayed for pH, 'R' value (degree of transformation of ATP to IMP) and ATP concentration. The water-holding capacity (WHC) of the intact muscle was compared with the WHC of a salted muscle homogenate prepared at each sampling time.

Abdominal pain following intravenous benzyl penicillin administration.

The occurrence of abdominal pain (in three patients) and lower chest pain (in one patient) either during or immediately after the intravenous administration of high doses of benzyl penicillin is reported. All four patients were diagnosed as having bacterial endocarditis and had been receiving between 8 and 18 mega units of the drug per day for 2--3 weeks, when the symptoms were first noticed. A skin rash also appeared in each case, at this time.